Biofuel Impact on Shipping Emissions

Biofuel Trial for Decarbonizing Shipping

• This study focuses on a biofuel blend created from used cooking oil (UCO) and regular marine fuel (MGO) used in a bulk cargo ship.
• The goal of this study is to assess the impact of this biofuel blend on emissions compared to regular marine fuel.
• The study examines both direct emissions (during combustion) and life cycle emissions (considering all stages of production).

Direct Emissions

• Biofuel blend resulted in a small decrease in CO₂ emissions (1.2%), likely due to biofuel’s lower carbon content.
• Biofuel blend significantly reduced SO₂ emissions (around 50%), due to the significantly lower sulfur content of the biofuel.
• NOx emissions were slightly reduced (3%) with the biofuel blend, potentially due to its higher cetane index, which enhances combustion efficiency.

Life Cycle Emissions

• The study found life cycle emissions were reduced up to 40% when using the biofuel blend compared to standard marine fuel.
• While biofuel blends do not significantly reduce CO2 emissions during their combustion, the overall life cycle emissions are significantly lower compared to standard marine fuel.

Trial Methodology and Vessel

• The study was conducted on the * Kira Oldendorff*, a Kamsarmax bulk carrier equipped with a MAN B&W 6S60ME-C8.5 slow-speed, two-stroke diesel engine.
• The biofuel mixture was a 50:50 blend of GoodFuels MDF1-100 (derived from UCO) and marine gas oil (MGO)
• Emissions were measured in five operational modes (dead slow, slow, half ahead, full ahead, and full navigation ahead), simulating various engine loads.

Importance of Study

• This trial is significant because it represents one of the first real-world measurements of biofuel emissions in bulk carriers, providing valuable insights into the potential impact of biofuels on the shipping industry.
• The findings highlight the potential of biofuels to address environmental concerns within the shipping industry.
• These findings provide crucial data for updating emissions inventories and enhancing the understanding of marine emissions' climate and health effects.

Ship Emissions and Decarbonization

• Ship emissions contribute significantly to global GHG emissions.
• The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set targets to reduce CO₂ emissions by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050.
• Recent regulations, such as the IMO's 2020 sulfur cap, are pushing the industry to reduce sulfur emissions.
• Biofuels are considered a promising alternative to reduce emissions in shipping, especially second-generation (2G) biofuels as they use non-food biomass, addressing the "food vs fuel" concern.

The "Tank-to-Wheel" (TTW) & “Well-to-Wheel” (WTW) Emissions

• TTW refers to emissions from a vehicle's fuel tank to the wheels, specifically during vehicle operation. In this case, the study showed that TTW emissions for the biofuel blend and standard fuel were similar.
• WTW considers the entire lifecycle of a fuel, from "well" (extraction), through production and transportation, to the "wheel'' (vehicle use). This study found that WTW emissions are significantly lower with the biofuel blend.

This quiz explores a study focusing on the use of a biofuel blend made from used cooking oil and regular marine fuel in a bulk cargo ship. It assesses the effects of this biofuel on both direct and life cycle emissions compared to traditional marine fuel. Test your knowledge on emissions reductions and the benefits of sustainable shipping practices.